Synopsis On 24August 1995, at about 1607, the VAKHTANGOV departed berth No.15 in the Port of Sorel, Quebec, with a cargo of 21,805tonnes of wheat, bound for Italy. Shortly after departure, the vessel grounded in the approaches to the Port of Sorel. The downstream current and the strong winds carried the vessel onto a shoal. Damage to the bulk carrier's propeller was reported as a result of the grounding. No one was injured and there was no pollution as a result of this occurrence. Factual Information Particulars of the Vessel Name VAKHTANGOV Port of Registry Valletta, Malta Flag Maltese Official Number 4270 Type Bulk carrier Gross Tonnage 16,502 Length 172.73m Draught Forward: 10.21m Aft: 10.21m Built 1984, Bulgaria Propulsion One BW 8,827kW engine Crew 25 Owners Vakhtangov Shipping Co. Ltd. Valletta, Malta On 24August 1995, the vessel was preparing to depart from her berth in the Port of Sorel under the conduct of a pilot. Two tugs were dispatched to assist in the undocking operations. The first, the RICHELIEU, took up a position at the bow on the centre line of the vessel, and the other, the CATHY McALLISTER, took up a position at the stern on the centre line of the vessel. The manoeuvre consisted in moving the vessel away from the port facilities by backing her up northward and then turning her to starboard, with the aid of the current and the tugs. The vessel would thus point downstream, and could then get under way normally and freely. At about 1100(1), the mooring lines were cast off, and the manoeuvres proceeded as planned until the vessel was ready to begin her downbound voyage under her own power, on a course of 050T, and very close to the south edge of the channel. The pilot asked the tugs to let go the lines that had been used to move the vessel, and thanked them for their services. However, the VAKHTANGOV could not use her engine because a line was still in the water near the propeller. While waiting for the crew to haul in the line, the vessel was drifting. The current, estimated at 1.4knots, and the west wind at 20 knots carried the vessel toward a shoal with a depth of 8.8m, as marked on Canadian Hydrographic Service chart No.1338. The vessel was not able to counteract the drift in time, and she grounded on the shoal just as the main engine was engaged. On 25August 1995, the vessel was refloated using four tugs. An underwater inspection conducted shortly thereafter found no damage to the hull but some slight damage to the propeller blades, which were slightly bent at the ends and scratched.